Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School Salary in New York (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School in New York, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
New York Median
$81,260
per year
Hourly Rate
$39.07
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+25% vs US median
US median $65,120
State Rank
#7 of 51
21,130 employed here

How much do Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School make in New York?

Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School in New York take home a median of $81,260 annually — roughly $39.07 an hour — which runs 25% above the national median of $65,120.

Within New York, entry-level pay starts around $59,460 while the top 10% make $133,280 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $66,300 and $117,540 a year.

Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School salary range in New York

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$59,460$28.59
25th percentile (early career)$66,300$31.88
50th percentile (median)$81,260$39.07
75th percentile (experienced)$117,540$56.51
90th percentile (top earners)$133,280$64.08

How New York compares

New York ranks 7th out of 51 states and territories for Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1District of Columbia$97,910
2California$97,170
3Washington$95,040
4Massachusetts$91,350
5Rhode Island$84,300

Working as Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School in New York

Nationally, about 261,000 people work as Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.

Considering a move? Compare New York pay ($81,260) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much do Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School make in New York?
The median Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School salary in New York is $81,260 per year, or about $39.07 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $59,460 at the entry level to $133,280 for the top 10% of earners.
How does New York pay compare to the national average?
New York pays Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School about 25% more than the national median of $65,120. New York ranks 7th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is New York a good state for Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School?
Yes on pay — New York pays above the national median for this occupation, at $81,260 a year. About 21,130 Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School are employed in New York. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in New York?
The highest-paying occupations in New York include Cardiologist ($492,040), Anesthesiologist ($445,660), Radiologist ($441,580), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School salary report

Related salaries

Elementary School Teacher, Except Special Education

$63,970
median pay · 1,388,000 employed

Curator

$63,420
median pay · 12,000 employed

Archivist

$64,550
median pay · 8,000 employed

Special Education Teacher, Preschool

$64,830
median pay · 30,000 employed

Communication Teachers, Postsecondary

$78,580
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Educational Instruction and Library Workers, All Other

$50,890
median pay · 119,000 employed
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.